Russia's Justice Ministry has warned Transparency International's Moscow office that it is engaged in political activities.

The head of Transparency International Russia Yelena Panfilova said on April 26 that the ministry informed her in a letter that the organization is "involved in shaping public opinion on state law-enforcement and other policies, and in influencing the government's decision-making procedures."

The ministry warned that if the organization receives any financial resources from abroad for its operations, it will be asked to register as a "foreign agent."

Two inspections have been conducted at Transparency International's Moscow office over the past four weeks.

Last November, controversial legislation came into force that requires all NGOs in Russia receiving money from abroad and engaging in political activity to register as foreign agents.